- story and photos by Miki Bartolome

With only a couple of seconds and a single chance to make a great first impression, doing it right is difficult. A quick and dirty stride to perfection can result in performance anxiety. It’s not fair that most of us have to work at it – practice in the mirror even – while others…

For Bartender Brooke Adams it comes off as effortless. She leaves you with a lasting first impression before you’ve even been seated at her bar.

Brooke Adams

“It’s not work, as to most. It’s an adventure I look forward to everyday”, she states eloquently when asked the question, “What do you love most about your job?”

She serves me a refreshing carafe of Mojito with an empty glass to refill at whim (which by the way is half off during happy hour, chump change at $5 a carafe) while awaiting her return to answer my questions between orders while she equally divided attention with the rest of her regulars.

WCM: This is a hot bar! How do you manage to keep things sizzling day after day ?

Brooke: Great service and a big smile!

WCM: You’re not just a bar manager. You also serve meals at your bar. With all the serving, bussing, pouring, mixing, and special orders, how do you manage it all so seamlessly?

Brooke: When you love what you do, it’s easy. You don’t even think; you just do.

WCM: Off the cuff — what’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?

Brooke: This is a nice place.

WCM: Okay, better put, how did you originally find your way to Bistro Casanova? How long have you been working here?

Brooke: I heard through Maui’s coconut wireless that the popular upcountry Italian Restaurant & Deli was opening in another location. The excitement of a great restaurant being so close to me without having to drive so far made me want to work there, and I’ve been there ever since.

WCM: If I weren’t the bar manager at Bistro Casanova, I’d be…….

Brooke: ……..a flight attendant doing the same thing, but in the air and traveling the world at the same time.

Now we are well into my 2nd caraffe of Mojito, which by the way, I have failed to pour into my empty glass, being so wrapped up with the most delectable spread sitting in front of me from the Tapas menu.

The delicate flavors of the Nori Wrapped Seared Ahi served with a wasabi aioli made me forget where I was for a minute or two while I shoveled it in like no one was watching. Every crunch of the Sauteed Mushrooms over crostini with garlic & chives and a hint of Brandy sauce enhanced the deep flavor and made it a true Italian delight. Then lastly, for the French fry freak that I am, the ever popular frites with Rosemary served with a caper mayo dipping sauce capped the evening.

WCM: Bistro Casanova is undoubtedly Central Maui’s best place to meet and mingle. How do you make everyone feel so at home at your bar?

Brooke: Being around so many different personalities so much of the time, I learned how to multi task my abilities and share my attention equally among everyone sitting at my bar.

WCM: I happen to know firsthand you’ve watched the evolution of many relationships from your position behind the bar; from heady first date to heart aching split. Do you offer advice to the lovelorn?

Brooke: I am not one to judge and offer biased advice.

WCM: How do you handle prickly situations?

Brooke: I don’t, but if I must, a smile, a sorry, and perhaps a glass of water with a lemon wedge (because they might have had too much to drink).

WCM: What’s your favorite libation to serve? To enjoy after hours?

Brooke: I like the sound of the ice while shaking a Martini. After hours, I like an extra dirty Grey Goose or a nice glass of Pinot.

WCM: What do you love most about your job?

Brooke: Meeting new people and making them smile while they sit in front of me.

Exiting the parking lot of Bistro Casanova not knowing of whether it was one too many Mojitos or having enjoyed the food way too much, I find myself belting out the lyrics to the popular song, ” I Love This Bar” by Toby Keith. Then I wave goodbye to my friends through my rear view mirror with a promise of meeting next week, same place, same time.

Bistro Casanova, 33 Lono Ave, Kahului, Hi 96732 (808)873-3650

Hours of Operation: Daily Mon – Sat, closed on Sun

Lunch: 11:30am – 2:30pm

Tapas: 4pm – 9:30pm

Dinner: 5pm – 9:30pm

Happy Hour: 4pm – 6pm